Chapter 65
Aria’s POV
“That’s none of your business,” I said coldly, turning to face him fully.
Ethan’s eyes swept over me, taking in my dress, my heels, the professional way I carried myself. I watched the wheels turning in his head.
“Are you working at V&A?” His voice rose with sudden understanding. “Is that it? That’s why you said you could introduce me to the heir p>
I didn’t answer. I didn’t owe him anything.
But he was already moving closer, his expression shifting from surprise to something that looked almost like relief. Like he’d just solved a puzzle.
“Aria, that’s perfect.” He reached for my hand, but I pulled it away before he could touch me. “You can arrange a meeting for me. With the heir. I need to explain—there’s been some kind of misunderstanding with the blacklist p>
I stared at him, waiting.
“I’ll make it worth your while,” he continued, his voice dropping into that persuasive tone he used when he wanted something.
“I can transfer half of my company shares to you. Ten percent. That’s substantial, Aria. That’s real money p>
Ten percent. After everything I’d done for Silver Creek Pack. After two years of running his territory’s business operations for free.
“We can work this out,” he said, stepping closer. “Stop being angry with me. Let’s fix this. I miss you. God, Aria, I’ve missed you so much. Don’t you miss me p>
A laugh bubbled up in my throat before I could stop it. “Ten percent? That was my old offer, Ethan p>
I let my lips curve into a cold smile. “But my price has gone up considerably. Now I want fifty percent p>
“Are you insane?” His face went pale, then flushed red. “Fifty percent? Aria, you have to stop making this so difficult. Do you really want to watch me suffer? “
“I only have twenty percent of the company shares. My father holds fifty percent, and the shareholders have the other thirty p>
There it was again. The guilt trip. The appeal to my emotions. First calling me crazy, then immediately trying to make me feel sorry for him.
How many times had he done this? How many times had I fallen for it?
“Then get it from your father,” I said simply, my voice steady. “That’s your problem to solve, not mine. You want my help? That’s my price p>
“You’re being completely unreasonable!” His voice cracked with desperation. “This is impossible, Aria. You know I can’t just p>
His jaw tightened, color rising in his cheeks. I’d struck a nerve by refusing to back down.
“You weren’t here,” he said after a moment. “The company was falling apart. I had no choice. Clara was just helping temporarily—she never replaced you. No one could replace you.
“And if you’re jealous, I can make her leave the company p>
“Jealous?” The word tasted bitter on my tongue. “You really think this is about jealousy p>
“If no one can replace me, then I suggest you seriously consider what I asked for before.” I kept my voice level, professional.
“Once you transfer fifty percent of the shares to me, I’ll come back to Silver Creek Pack and help clean up the mess you’ve made p>
I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in.
“Because from what I’ve heard, most of your projects are stalled. At this rate, forget about territorial expansion—everything Silver Creek Pack has built over the past two years is going to crumble p>
My voice was still pleasant, still melodic. But every word carried weight I’d never given them before.
Ethan stared at me like I was a stranger.
“Aria.” His voice dropped, low and dangerous. “Tell me the truth. Is there someone else p>
I blinked. “What p>
“That morning. A man answered your phone.” His eyes flashed amber—his wolf rising to the surface. “Who was he p>
My heart stuttered, but I kept my expression neutral. Damian. He was talking about Damian.
“I’ve trusted you,” Ethan continued, his voice climbing. “The company was at a critical stage, but when you said you needed time off, I didn’t question it. “
“You were stressed, dealing with your things—I understood. I’ve supported you. Protected you. Do you have any idea how much pressure I’ve endured for you p>
He took another step closer, and I fought the urge to back away.
“And Marcus,” he said. “I adopted a child for you. And this is how you repay me? By betraying the company? By betraying me? Over money p>
His words hit like physical blows, each one designed to wound.
“You weren’t like this before, Aria. What happened to you p>
What happened to me?
I’d woken up. That’s what happened.
My hands clenched into fists, nails biting into my palms. The rage I’d been holding back threatened to surge forward, but I forced it down. Breathed through it.
When I spoke, my voice was deadly calm.
“You pursued me, Ethan. You chased me relentlessly until I said yes. I never begged to marry into the Silver Creek Pack p>
I met his eyes, refusing to look away. “Marcus treats me like dirt, and that was your choice too—you insisted on adopting him. As for money p>
I let the word hang between us.
“I’ve built Silver Creek Pack’s core business from the ground up over the past two years. I haven’t taken a single cent in salary from the Pack or your family. “
“That fifty percent share? I earned it. If I can’t get what I’m owed, then leaving for another company is perfectly reasonable p>
I took a step closer to him, and for the first time, I saw him falter.
“Just because we’re married doesn’t mean you get to use me as free labor. Don’t you agree p>
The word “married” hung in the air between us like a blade.
I watched his face pale. I known he’d been about to pull the husband card, and I’d just called his bluff.
“I told you to come back because I don’t want to see you get hurt out there,” he said, switching tactics.
“If you want the shares, fine—we can discuss it. But first, you need to explain who that man was p>